Our Beginning and Early Years

Saint Alban’s Parish is part of The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina and was founded in 1973 as a mission of the Church of the Ascension in Hickory to commemorate that parish’s 100th anniversary. Bishop Weinhauer preached his first sermon as the new bishop coadjutor at the commissioning service. St. Alban’s was declared an organized mission of the diocese by Bishop Henry on September 9, 1973. The Reverend Randy Ferebee, founding Rector of St. Alban’s, led the parish through 36 years of spiritual and physical growth until his retirement in 2009.

The Significance of The Barn

In December 1973, Saint Alban’s purchased a six-acre tract of land just off Highway 127. With the land came an old dairy barn. The first parishioners enthusiastically embraced the barn and envisioned it as a house of prayer. In early 1974, several work parties formed and began clearing the land around the barn to prepare for the building renovations. That April, the mission church held its first Easter service outdoors behind the barn. By the winter of 1974, forty families celebrated their first Christmas service inside the barn. Throughout the years, families worshiped together in the barn and St. Alban’s parish grew to become the vibrant, loving and caring parish it is today.

Growth Through The Years

In 1980, Saint Alban’s became a parish in union with the diocese. In the mid-eighties, two deacons, The Reverend Deacon John K. Earl and the Reverend Deacon Stewart W. Stoudemire, were ordained in the parish.  A new church and undercroft were completed in 1986 and an expanded parish hall (later named Ferebee Hall), kitchen and office suite were added in 1998.

St. Alban’s parish has experienced growth, not only in members and physical space of the church, but also, most importantly, in ministry opportunities. We actively participate in the community soup kitchens in Hickory and Newton, helped organize a medical clinic for those who do not have access to healthcare, sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive each year, donate food and sponsor children in the community, just to name a few.   We are very honored to be a part of the CEOC (Catawba Episcopal Outreach Committee).  This venture was formed in the spring of 2010.  It is a group of people from the 3 Episcopal parishes in Catawba County.  Together, through fellowship, hard work, and prayer we we joined forces helping “Safe Harbor.”  This organization helps women in Catawba County, rebuild their lives through a Christ -centered environment.

Following Fr. Randy’s retirement, St. Alban’s was blessed with Fr. Bill Livingston as our interim rector and his wife Deacon Diane Livingston.  They lead us through the discernment process with love and renewed spirit.  In the Spring of 2011, after tremendous dedication from the discernment committee and countless prayers of the parishioners, a call was made for the rector of St. Alban’s Parish.  Fr. Tryggvi Àrnason celebrated his first worship at St. Alban’s on August 21, 2011.  What a glorious day!

It is very exciting to see what’s just around the corner for St. Alban’s.

An often-repeated description captures the spirit of St. Alban’s:

“We are a community of companions on the pilgrimage of faith.”

We invite you to share that journey with us.